The Great Escape: A flight of fancy to Cabo villas

Newport Beach resident Don Koll, one of the creative minds who transformed Baja California’s Cabo San Lucas from a fishing village into a premier vacation destination, purchased Hotel Hacienda on Medano Beach in 2005. Built in 1963 – when you could still count hotels in Cabo on one hand – the hotel was converted by the late developer into the luxurious Hacienda Beach Club & Residences. Now, as part of a master plan, the Hacienda is getting a lavish new neighbor: 1 Hotel & Homes Cabo combines 55 private residences with a luxury hotel adjacent to the Hacienda, cementing the location as one of the most sought-after addresses in Mexico.

I wanted to explore it for myself, and from the moment I arrived for 1 Hotel & Homes Cabo’s Discovery Weekend, I was hooked. An experience designed to simulate life as a resident on Medano Beach at Lands End, surrounded by the aquamarine splendor of the Sea of Cortez, which French explorer Jacques Cousteau called “the world’s aquarium,” Discovery Weekend introduces potential residents to a marriage of stunning natural beauty and modern luxury.

Enamored with the locale, I began brainstorming how I could live there part time. If you’re ready to invest in a vacation home, paradise is officially on the market at 1 Hotel & Homes Cabo. A quick flight from Orange County, Cabo is a world away from the humdrum of everyday life.

Built using locally sourced, sustainable materials, this eco-conscious, zero-waste property is surrounded by the only year-round swimmable beach in Cabo on one side and the marina on the other. While it sits adjacent to the city’s premium shops, restaurants and nightlife, you never have to leave the grounds if you don’t want to. Enjoy four farm-to-table restaurants, edible gardens, myriad “daylife” activities like MovNat, a fitness method that relies on the body’s natural movements, a spa with aroma and sound therapy treatments, private cooking classes, a mercado, and much more.

Upon arrival I was escorted to a luxury condo at the Hacienda to rest before a private dinner in a sprawling villa with executive chef Raúl Lucido, where I sampled the first arugula crop from the edible gardens.

I began my second day by watching the sun rise over the Sea of Cortez. Early mornings are perfect for stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking or snorkeling. I opted for an aromatherapy massage and facial at the spa before settling in at the pool and beach for an afternoon of pure relaxation before my private cooking lesson and mezcal tasting with Lucido. But I could have chosen an excursion to the organic market, a boat ride or other optional activities. (The beauty is that it’s all up to you, and you can book your own Discovery Weekend starting in October at 1homescabo.com or email discover@1homescabo.com.)

Back at the villa for dinner, I learned how to make watermelon gazpacho, pan-seared sea bass with smashed potatoes and Kalamata tomato relish and balsamic strawberries. Next, I received an Ivy League education in the nuances of the agave plant while sampling three of Mexico’s best mezcals. An evening stroll along the marina topped off my adventure.

The next morning, Lucido delivered breakfast to my room before I reluctantly left for the airport. As I watched the sea fade away, my only thought was, “Yeah, I could get used to this.”